I am writing a book about my journey through chronic illness. So far it is only 10,000 words! Would this still appeal to a publishers? Or do I need to bulk it out some more?
Ta
2007-01-02 02:55:41 · 17 answers · asked by deli_cate2 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
I suppose it really depends on what kind of book you are wanting it to be. It you want it to be a novel versus wanting it to be an epic makes quite the difference. This may help...
Micro fiction under 100
Flash fiction under 1000
Short story 1000 to 7500
Novella, novellette 7000 to 50,000
Novel 50,000 to approximately 150,000
Epic over 150,000
So far you have a novella it seems, and concidering how I also am suffering cronic illnesses I'd suggest not to give out too much detail. It may be only my opinion, but some people may actually be turned away with too many details.
Great luck with the book and health life, and I hope I helped!
2007-01-02 03:03:05 · answer #1 · answered by Brandy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you look at a book like Ian Fleming's 'The Living Daylights' (James Bond obviously) it is very short, so much so that he had to combine it with Octopussy (also pretty concise) so don't worry too much. They may accept it as a novella (ie. short book / overly long 'short' story) but it is still very short even for that. They don't have to be all War & Peace, in fact, the thickness of a book can put people off. Of course, you can bulk it out if you are unsure but try to safeguard against it becoming too long and drawn out, the publisher (as well as readers) may become bored. Perhaps you could feature elements of your illness from other people's perspectives (if you haven't done that already). Good luck with it anyway.
I'm a writer too just not published yet so I guess you could say, what the hell do I know lol!
2007-01-02 03:06:51 · answer #2 · answered by blaarts 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This sounds interesting. I also have a chronic illness and would be very interested in knowing your story and which chronic illness you have. I have no idea about how long it should or shouldn't be. Giving someone else with a chronic illness a chance to read someone elses story helps them, understanding their illness through someone elses eyes, reassuring them that what they are going through and experiencing, they are not alone. Well done! All I know is as I say I would be very interested in it. Wishing you all the best & good luck
2007-01-02 04:23:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A novel needs to be at least 90,000 words long, up to about 150,000 for a blockbuster. Non fiction can be shorter but other factors like illustrations can be used to bulk it out.
At 10,000 words this wouldn't even count as a novella I'm afraid.
Perhaps it would be better to think of it as a long article?
Good luck and I hope your illness is helped by this work; I find writing very therapeutic, even cathartic.
2007-01-02 03:06:25 · answer #4 · answered by Vivienne T 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask a publisher. 10,000 words is great though. I've never written more than 400 if i'm pushed.
2007-01-02 03:01:36 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
10000 words isn't nearly long enough if you consider most short stories are 3000 to 7000 words long you need to be up around 85000 to 90000 for a publisher to be interested
2007-01-02 03:50:52 · answer #6 · answered by bookworm1 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
so long as youve told ytour story and are hapy with what youve written it shouldnt matter a publisher wont just publish a book on how much is written remember these things K.I.S Keep it simple and quality is better than quantity
2007-01-02 03:56:56 · answer #7 · answered by pwincess_blodzy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A book should be just long enough to thoroughly tell the story but not a sentence longer.
2007-01-02 03:05:31 · answer #8 · answered by missingora 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as it needs to be, though 10,000 words is a bit short.
2007-01-02 02:59:17 · answer #9 · answered by Mad Professor 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most publishers are looking for around 90000 words, start packing!
2007-01-02 03:38:56 · answer #10 · answered by burtbb0912 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋